Mtsat-1R is a Japanese geostationary weather satellite that was launched by a H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture at 09:25 UT. The 1.78 tonne, satellite will make continuous observations of Earth's surface and cloud cover. Another package on-board will relay transmissions from mobile telephones. It is expected to replace HIMAWARI 5 after parking over 140 deg-E longitude.